More Trees Now at Síolta Chroí, Carrickmacross on the 29th and 30th of November
On the 29th and 30th of November the Ecosystem Restoration Community, Síolta Chroí invites all to an introductory event of More Trees Now: an initiative to plant more indigenous trees through circular forestry.
Continue readingWHAT: A Four week Regenerative Agriculture Course
WHEN: Dates 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th November. Time 6:00 pm to 8:00pm
WHERE: Síolta Chroí, Aghnacloghan, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, A81 C998
CONTACT: Conan at 089 499 4571 or https://sioltachroi.ie/
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
In this course we will explore how regenerative farming can be a key solution to the multiple challenges facing our local community – such as diminishing farm incomes/farm viability, water quality issues in our lakes and rivers, and biodiversity loss. These practices can also assist in dealing with other challenges such as climate change, flood risk and the nutrition density in our products.
The course will give participants an overview knowledge of key aspects of regenerative agriculture and provide a network to support in implementing the learning.
Now that hedge cutting season is here again, it’s a chance to see what Teagasc are recommending for the management of hedges. Their key message is that there are two types of hedges based on structure, each with different biodiversity values and management requirements. Failure to distinguish between the two types can lead to confusion and inappropriate management. The Teagasc recommendation is that every farm should have some Escaped hedges and some Topped hedges. But first a reminder of what hedges bring to farms.
Continue readingExtreme weather events in many parts of the world now feature in the news more frequently than ever. This summer there have been heatwaves on land – and in theoceans – as well as wildfires, hurricanes, and severe droughts and floods. The climate change which has been predicted by scientists is now becoming ever more evident. Globally we’ve had the hottest July ever and according to UN Secretary-General António Guterres it signals that an “era of global boiling has arrived”.
Continue readingIrish Water Quality Under Pressure Tydavnet GWS showcase Knocknagrave
Algal Blooms In Irish Lakes: The quality of waterways across Ireland has dropped over the decades and this summer has seen a raft of freshwater lakes closed to bathing due to algal blooms: the algae can cause serious sickness in humans. A combination of domestic, agricultural and industrial effluent has combined to increase nutrient levels in our lakes leading to the blooms of blue/green algae. In August 2023 Monaghan Co Co reported poor water quality in two well-visited bathing lakes as testing showed high levels of E. coli in both Lough Muckno (Blayney) and in Creevy Lake (Carrickmacross). Up-to-date testing results are available at https://monaghan.ie/environment/bathing-waters/ The picture above is particularly apt in this context and it pulls no punches in portraying how humans coevolved with nature but now threaten its very survival. Thankfully we can take many simple steps to reduce our impacts on nature and our waterways and hence make our drinking water better.
Continue readingTransition Monaghan host informal workshop
A Cuppa for Climate: In June 2023 Transition Monaghan hosted an informal workshop in St Joseph’s Parish Centre, Monaghan Town, where the public were invited to come and chat about Climate and Environmental issues that were on their mind. The event was under the umbrella of Friends of the Earth, Ireland who helped organise similar events throughout Ireland. As well as sharing examples of local best practices and positive steps participants are taking in their own lives to reduce environmental impacts, a number of broader themes came up during discussions.
Continue readingHedgerows Ireland Petition TD’s to Act
Have you ever rambled along a country road smelling the blossoms from overhanging trees and then reached in to the hedge to pick a few juicy blackberries? Or perhaps stooped down to the tar and gathered acorns where their little caps have popped off revealing a perfect oval nut? If so, then perhaps you’ll be interested in efforts being taken to protect Irish hedges. This week we look at a recent protest spearheaded by Hedgerows Ireland to highlight frustration with the inadequate protections and incentives for Irish hedges. During the protest the group handed over a signed letter and petition calling on the Minister to make immediate changes but first…
Who are Hedgerows Ireland?
Hedgerows Ireland are a broad alliance of interested parties that work towards the enhancement and protection of hedgerows in Ireland. The group is made up of landowners, farmers, nature lovers and more. Their website can be found at https://hedgerowsireland.org/ The group believe that hedgerows are key to solving or improving many of the challenges facing our countryside. These include:
Workshop at Rowan Wellness and Gardens
This time we’re joined by Mary McMullen of Rowan Wellness & Gardens – a centre for yoga, breathwork, meditation, nature and all things wellness. Mary’s gardens near Maudabawn in Cavan recently played host to Phil Wheal who delivered a very hands on workshop on creating and maintaining a “Food Forest” Garden. “Learning by doing” was the order of the day and all participants got mucky and active. But first things first…..
What is a food forest?
A food forest, also called a forest garden, is a diverse planting of edible plants that attempts to mimic the ecosystems and patterns found in nature. A well designed food forest:
Through time it will create a diverse and rich ecosystem of productive plants that can be easily maintained and enjoyed.
Continue readingWhere Old School Farming meets High Tech
In this article we speak to Pat McKenna, a North Monaghan farmer about his role in the innovative conservation grazing programme on Sliabh Beagh. We also find out how “Virtual Fencing” and other conservation efforts are helping restore Sliabh Beagh’s ecological richness.
Increasing Fires
Back in 2007 a massive fire destroyed over 700 hectares (1750 acres) of the Special Area of Conversation located on the upper slopes of Sliabh Beagh in North Monaghan. The fire wiped out ground nesting birds and vast areas of rare flora and fauna and it can take an upland many years to recover: in the aftermath of a fire some of the first species to reestablish are the invasive and quick growing grasses that can choke and restrict the rarer plant species. Locals were also noticing reductions in rare ground nesting birds as well as increasing amounts of self seeding Sitka Spruce from conifer forestry plantations. In response, a group of stakeholders developed maps detailing vegetation types across the vast area as well as history of burns in the area. It was decided that conservation grazing would be a cost effective method to graze the fire prone vegetation and thus reduce the intensity and spread of any future fires. The mountain area is vast and so electronic collars are fitted to the cattle enabling the farmer to track their movements and also allowing virtual fencing to restrict cattle to where they are needed.
TRANSFORMING OUR URBAN LANDSCAPES
Cities occupy approximately 3% of the Earth’s surface area but account for 60-80% percent of energy consumption and at least 70% of carbon emissions. Creating safe, resilient and sustainable cities is one of the top priorities of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG 11 defines sustainable cities as those that are dedicated to achieving green sustainability, social sustainability and economic sustainability. They enable opportunities for all through inclusive design and maintaining sustainable economic growth. Successful sustainable cities also minimise inputs of energy, water, and food, and reduce outputs of waste, heat, air pollution, and water pollution. Sustainable cities are the cities of the future – where did the concept of sustainable cities originate, what are some examples of sustainable cities and how can we incorporate some of these principles into our own towns and cities here in Ireland? What will it take to make a city like Monaghan more sustainable? Candice Moen takes a closer look.
Transition Monaghan 